Steven Gilbert on for David Gallardo
Evan Green on for Dexter Panzavechia
Lython Marquez on for Jared Buhagiar

Return to league action after a fortnight since our magnificent win over Lynx FC. Its pretty much as we were going into the last 3 games of the season. The only change is Dexter coming into the side for Pitu. Our bench is looking pretty strong too with Steffan Cardona and Sean Gilbert making comebacks from injury. Ayden Viñales gives way to Chino who returns after a 3 match ban. 9 points left to play and 3 teams fighting to avoid a relegation play off versus the runners up in the Second Division.

St Joseph’s FC showed their class in possession from the early moments of this match. Their midfield players were proving to be a handful to contain but they had little to show for it. This essentially summarises a first half of football in which there was little goal mouth action. Jordan Perez in the Saint’s goal had an easy Robert Montovio shot to gather up while at the other end Chino nervously fumbled a shot that luckily bounced off the post and out of play.

The second half was to prove a rather different affair. Though United were trying to make their possessions count and at times did encroach dangerously into the St Joseph’s area, it was the latter’s quality that ultimately was to have the decisive effect. A deliciously delivered cross was met by Javier Lopez had buried his header into the back of the net. Both the header itself and the cross were of the highest quality leaving neither defence nor keeper with a chance. United’s players looked utterly devastated when the goal went in as they had generally held their own quite respectfully until then.

That devastation was doubled 10 minutes later when Chino spilled what looked like a routine save under his body to see the ball trickle between his legs and into the goal. The United keeper looked completely devastated aware of the magnitude of his mistake. Yet one error among a season of point winning displays can be forgiven and credit to both his team mates and opponents who both game to raise Chino off the floor and give him encouragement and support.

The result was put beyond doubt a couple of minutes later when Jorge Torres scored quite a delightful solo goal to gift St Joseph’s the 3 points that takes them 3rd in the table. A consolation first goal for the club by Lython Marquez gave United some hope of a comeback, especially when Evan Green had a snapshot go wide a minute later. Yet it wasn’t to be. United will have a do or die match against Angels FC next to determine their fate this season. A win will most likely see us go above Britanna. Crunch time has arrived.

Steven Gilbert on for ‘Pitu’ Anes
Lyhton Marquez on for Robert Montovio

United come into this game on the backs of a very costly defeat to Glacis United last time out. Not only was ground lost but Chino and Steven Gilbert were sent off. Though the latter was back in contention after serving a one match ban the former was given a longer suspension which meant young Viñales made his first start in a Premier League match. With Steffan Cardona out injured it meant a recall for Jamie Currer and a shift to a 5 man midfield. Carl Thomas returns after serving a two match ban for accumulation of yellows. Looking towards the bench it was gratifying to see attacking talent returning from injury in the shape of Byron Espinosa and Lython Marquez. 3 points a must today to capitalise on Glacis’ loss to Lions last night.

The match started brightly enough with both teams eager to gain possession and try to be productive with it. With Kaylan playing in midfield, Pitu and Duane had more space and time on the ball to be more creative than usual but the nerves coming into the match were palpable from the start. Lynx, and total credit to their playing and management staff, were clear in their determination to win the game from the off. It is a great advert for the integrity of the competition that despite having nothing to play for Lynx, its players and its staff were here to give United a game. Indeed having taken 6 points off us earlier in the season they were out for the full house. Bosnian Akrapovic and Egytptian winger Hassan carrying most of their earlier danger. But without Doxagarat they lacked a killer edge, and their attacks were well dealt with by Brad and a resurgent Gallardo in defence.

Whenever they got through young Ayden was equal to the task with several saves and good interventions keeping our goal safe. United were getting spells of possession and were taking the game to young Robert Rae in the Lynx goal. Robert Montovio had two chances in the first half which went wide. Jamie Currer was also getting in behind the full backs on the right while Ashley Perez was likewise getting in on the left but just like Ayden, Rae was equal to the task. A very gratifying sight to see young and up and coming young local goalkeeping talent getting games in the Premier Division.

As the first half whittled to an end United could be happy of putting in an improved performance compared to the Glacis game and justly proud of taking the game to a very consistent side firmly anchored in the top half of the table. The sizeable United crows were just as happy as they clapped their players off the field urging them to keep on fighting and trying in the second half.

Whatever chat Manolo had with his troops at half time seemed to have an effect. We were out early onto the field and quick off the starting blocks too and this seemed to have caught Lynx unaware. We dominated possession for the first 10 minutes of the half and fruit of our good play came in the 54th minute of the game. Gunslinger Robert Montovio capitalised on some good work by Currer on the right wing and weaselled his way into the area. From the tightest of angles he thundered a shot in past the flying Robert Rae and into the back of the net. The crowd and the subs bench went wild with delirium knowing the importance of this goal. It was his 11th strike in 22 league appearances, a remarkable ratio! Albert Parody responded quickly by throwing on Doxagarat onto the field of play, Lynx wanted to get back into the game!

United almost went two up a few minutes later. It was John Wayne himself who created the chance as he sent in a hard low shot from the edge of the D. Credit to Rae in the Yellow and Black goal who pulled off a tremendous save. The ricochet fell to Pitu who was certain to score as the keeper was still down after his save. His shot whistled past the post as he crumpled to the floor having pulled something as he struck the ball. Steven Gilbert was quick on the pitch to replace him and in a total contrast to his last time out he anchored the midfield alongside Kaylan and put in several crunching and timely tackles to keep Lynx out.

Indeed the whole team was putting in the performance of the season. Viñales was showing a composure that belied his age while Gallardo and Brad were dealing with any aerial threat comfortably. Robba was giving a master class in midfield while Jared and Ashley complemented each other perfectly on the left wing while Jamie was supporting Carl on the right. Kaylan in particular was everywhere and has become one of Manolo’s fire fighter’s, happy to plug a gap anywhere on the field of play. Yet Lynx carry a lot of danger and no one could afford to drop their concentration as the game approached its end.

Robert pulled up in the 80th minute chasing a long ball. Lyhton Marquez was thrown into the fray and immediately began to harrass the Lynx playmakers as United’s defensive unit began with the forward. That said we got in behind a number of times but were not able to perforate the goal again. As Mr Reoch brought proceedings to a close United’s players celebrated wildly as the ground so costly lost last week was regained through sweat and hard graft today.

We once again draw level with Glacis United on 25 points and are one point behind Britannia. While our direct rivals all dropped points this weekend Gibraltar United pulled off an unexpected result meaning that the fight for survival is well and truly on. With 3 games to go the goal is clear! St Joseph’s FC are our next rivals on Friday 29th April at 20:30! The fight goes on!

Ayden Viñales on for Ashely Perez
Steven Gilbert on for Duane Robba
Jamie Currer on for Dexter Panzavechia

Our final game of the season against direct rivals Glacis United in what is sure to be a 6 pointer of a game considering results in games around us recently. Carl Thomas is serving a two match ban for accumulation of yellow cards which means that David Gallardo comes into the side while Kaylan covers at right back. Elsewhere its as we were for our last game.

A dour first half only came to life in its dying embers. The game had been characterised by the tension both teams brought into the game knowing the win would largely mean safety. Both teams were showing nervousness in possession and tenacity in the tackles and Mr Parody was at times in danger of losing control of the game a Glacis’ rough handling of Robert was beginning to frustrate the men in Red and White as the forward was getting little protection from the ref.

Anyhow roll on the 46th minute of the game. A Glacis corner was unfortunately headed into our our net by Ashley Perez as he tried to divert the header out. What a way to come down to earth after his wonder goal against Lions. Worse was to follow as Chino has no one to blame for the red card that he saw in the following action. In a scramble after the ball had gone in, he waded into a confrontation with a Glacis United player. Following the fracas the United keeper saw red. A double blow in injury time. Young Ayden Viñales came on to make his league debut, having already deputised in Rock Cup duty earlier in the season.

Manolo made a double sub at half time with Gilbert and Currer replacing Robba and Dexter. Steven seemed rather heated as he came on and had seen a yellow a few minutes into the half. In all honesty United were playing better with 10. We were retaining possession well and were holding Glacis’ attacking forays quite comfortably. Viñales was acquitting himself admirably pulling off a number of decent saves and keeping United with a sniff of a chance. Robert, as usual, was able to carve an opening for himself but his tame shot was easily gathered by Carlin.

Having made two subs United were effectively left with 8 as Cardona suddenly pulled up holding the back of his leg. Though he eventually limped back on with a heavy strapping on his leg he was largely immobile. United were down to 8 though for real a few minutes later as another reckless tackle by Gilbert saw him see a second yellow.

With any chance of a comeback gone Glacis finally broke through in the 81st minute to effectively end the game and earn a priceless 3 points that frankly feel like 6. United’s fight continues versus Lynx FC next weekend.

Steven Gilbert on for Kaylan Rumbo
David Gallardo on for Robert Montovio
Derek Asquez on for ‘Pitu’ Anes

League action returns after the International hiatus. Manolo welcomes back our international players and congratulations to Robert Montovio on making his début in the UEFA era in an official game having minutes in both games versus Lichtenstein and Latvia. Chino and Brad both had game time in the Centenary match versus San Roque. Likewise Manolo welcomes back the three suspended players who missed out in out 1/4 Final Rock Cup loss to Lions last time out. A solid defensive line backs up a strong midfield and an eager and hungry Robert upfront wanting to rediscover his scoring touch in the league. It is crunch time now for the club and each game is a final as we approach the last 6 games of the season with keeping our Premier Division status the target. Vi et Animo, Ad Victoriam!

The match kicked off in wintry weather conditions with rain swirling around in the strong, sqaulling wind. It wasn’t long however before United supporters in the stands had some action to warm their hearts. A defensive mix up between Mouheli and keeper Szpilczynski allowed recently capped Montovio to capitalise on their confusion to slot the ball into the net. 5 minutes in and United 1-0 up in this most important of matches. As the rain continued to pour down the men in Red and White battened down the hatches to weather the storm coming from the heavens and the one the men in orange were sure to release.

Yes, Lions did lionise (no pun) possession but had very little danger to offer to Chino’s goal. Though their passing was crisp and sharp it was largely in areas far from any possible threat zones to our goal. Their efforts were largely restricted to long range efforts, the closest they got was a shot blazed over the bar by Sykes Garro. United held firm and Manolo was directing the type of game he revels in. Defending a 1-0 lead with a solid line of 5 in the middle acting as a bulwark for our defence.

Indeed, despite their possession it was United that had the clearest chances. Though ploughing the lonesome furrow upfront, Montovio can burst into action at any given moment. Pitu was constantly looking for him with clever, incisive balls over the top and in one combination he found Robert out wide. The frontman drifted a cross into the near post area where an onrushing Dexter glance off a header that wrong footed the Lions keeper. Luck however was not our side as the ball skimmed the post and went off for a goal kick. Some welcome relief and a warning to the Oranges that despite their lengthy spells of possession United’s sting was sharp. Ashley Perez was to have another chance blast into the side netting while the keeper made up for earlier errors by rushing out to cancel a promising one-two between our attackers. As Mr Warwick brought the half to a close it was a wet but upbeat group of United players that trudged off to the dressing rooms to listen to their manager’s team talk.

Lions made their intent clear from the start of the second half. Attack, attack attack. They sought to capitalise on their possession but their original onslaughts were broken on the defensive Red and White wall. Both Power and Cardona handled crosses coming in from the wing comfortably and frustration was beginning to set in as tackles started to fly in all over the ground and the match began to take a more physical turn, nothing nasty just a real good game of football. Aymen Mouheli made amends for his clanger at the outset of the match however by pouncing on a loose ball in the area to give Lions parity on the scoreboard. An uncharacteristic mistake between Chino meant the ball was missed by the keeper and the Tunisian defender was able to toe poke the ball into the net. The Oranges had finally broken through and United’s play looked nervous and careless.

Yet cometh the hour cometh the man. From the kick off Robert used his skill and nuance to dribble his way past Mouheli and Salas. One quick look up from the edge of the box was the only indication he needed and with power and precision he blasted the ball past the helpless keeper. Lions’ lead had lasted all of 2 minutes. Robert’s celebrations were wild and rightly so as the barracking he was getting on the pitch from the defenders was severe.

Pressure proportionally mounted on the goal as United totally surrendered possession to focus on defence, which at times was chaotic and clumsy. Cardona flung himself at every ball while Power headed everything away. Kaylan Rumbo was having a tremendous game in defensive midfield supporting in all areas of the pitch. Yet Lions were finding a way by dropping a ball between both and their clearest chance came in such a ball the flummoxed the centre halves. The ball fell to Narvaez who surely could not miss. Chino, however, pulled off a magnificent save down to his left to make up for his earlier error. The Lions forward looked on in disbelief as Chino proceeded with play.

Sensing the weakness Manolo threw on David Gallardo for a flaking Montovio. Robert had run his socks off and had put us up front but David would plug the gap that Lions were trickling through. Balls continued to fly in and Lions were sole possessors of the ball but they were not getting the rub of the green. Steven Gilbert replaced an injured Rumbo while Derek Asquez replaced Pitu in the dying minutes of the game.

Yet final mention must go to Ashley Perez. Another dedicated player that tun his socks off and made the left wing his with the assistance of Jared. As the fourth official held up the board indicating 5 minutes of injury time, United had some rare possession to give the defence some respite. With Pitu as our most forward player Ashely rushed to support. Pitu squared him the ball, he took two steps forward and lashed a thunderbolt from about 25 meters out. He struck the ball with such aplomb that the Lions keeper literally had not chance. It arrowed into the the top right hand corner to finally settle the match and nerves to give United an invaluable 3 points that bring us level with Glacis United on 22 points. Our next match is a do or die affair versus the Clarets and Blues this coming Sunday